Monday, February 11, 2019

I have always loved to crochet. Recently, I have mindfully taken more time to crochet. As a result, my skills are improving and I've been creating things that people really enjoy. During this time I've begun to use a new yarn: Wool-Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarns. Outside of using Bernat Blanket yarn in a couple of patterns, I've never branched out to the Bulky and Super Bulky yarns. But I stepped out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I did. I am thrilled with this acrylic/wool blend yarn by Lion Brand.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

I've never been a fan of wool - with the exception of work socks that have a small percentage of wool. I love those. But anything that has a larger percentage of wool I imagine as scratchy. I don't know why, but I do. I just always assume that wool is going to be uncomfortable.During shopping trips down the yarn aisles, I am a toucher. I want yarns that feel good. One day I touched a skein of yarn that was so thick and soft that I bought a few skeins. I did not realize they were an acrylic and wool blend yarn until I got home. Wool - Ease Thick & Quick comes in two skein sizes: a regular skein size at 5 oz (87 yards) or the bonus bundle at 12 oz (212 yards). Be aware if you are shopping online. It appears the some outlets show the regular skein size as the "bonus bundle". Be sure to read the weight/length if ordering online.

It is in the Super Bulky category (which is #6 on the label). And the recommended crochet hook size is "N" (knitting needle size 13).Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is 80% acrylic and 20% wool. It is machine washable and dryable using cool temps. Do not bleach or iron.I bought this yarn as I was experimenting - trying to crochet a very small neck warmer that someone had suggested. I ended up with the wrong pattern or the wrong size yarn during my experimenting. Then I gave this yarn and a "N" hook a try. And ta-dum, I have great neck warmers that people are enjoying.

If you'd like an acrylic/wool blend neck warmer and don't feel like making your own, keep your eye on my Etsy Store. I will offer these neck warmers with button closures at DawnRaeCrochetas I get them made.If you'd like to make your own scarf from this yarn, you can check out the crochet patterns on Lion Brand Yarn Company site. If you are a beginner, this "Brunch With Friends Scarfie"would be a good pattern to try. I am not good at writing patterns. So I cannot give you an actual pattern for my neck warmers. But for those of you who do crochet this may make sense to you:

chain 9 to 11 (depending on the desired width)

turn and single stitch in each stitch; continue for 6 rows (beginning each row with a ch 1 and turn)

ch 3 and turn, DC in each stitch

continue for desire length (mine are around 27")

end with a row of single crochet for a finished edge

attach a button (or 2 buttons) near the end of 6 rows of SC

the button holes are the spaces between the DCs (making the scarf able to be worn in a variety of ways/lengths).

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Monday, February 13, 2017

Crocheted slipper socks are amazing. I have crocheted many pairs of slipper socks over the years, customizing the colors for friends and family. This year I bought yarn with the intention of again making slipper socks as gifts. Sadly, I have not yet found the time to crochet those gifts. But fortunately, I have found my beloved slippers socks for sale on Etsy and will review the reasons these are a favorite item with people I know.

Crocheted Slipper Socks

I have made these slipper socks off and on for many years. And I have a few friends who hint at wanting a new pair in a new color every time we see a scrap of yarn anywhere.

Today I was looking for the online pattern as I may have some time to do some crochet work. It was during that search that I found the finished slippers for sale in Etsy shops!

Why These Slipper Socks Are Recommended

I have made these slippers for a woman who often gives handmade things to her friends and family as gifts. It was intimidating to make a handmade gift for her, but I did. I gifted her with a pair of these slipper socks that I had made, and she loved them. She wore them daily and is the only person I know of that has worn a pair threadbare. She told me that was only because she wore them daily - including the daily walk down her paved driveway and to her mailbox! That is a high review if I've ever heard one.

I am able to recommend the slippers in this Etsy shop because I am familiar with the pattern. It is an excellent pattern - one that fits well. WiseAcreBoutique also offers customized sizes with your foot measurements. I am aware that this pattern is easy to adjust to unusually long, narrow, or wide fit because of the ease of adjusting the pattern.

A few reasons these slippers are socks are recommended and requested by friends:

they are made with worsted weight acrylic yarn

made with two strands of yarn - increasing warmth and softness

I have always tossed mine into the washer and dryer with no problems

the pattern creates a "heel" that is not bulky, fits well, and keeps the slipper sock in place

it seems the ridges under the heel would be uncomfortable when in fact, they provide cushioning

easy to pack in a suitcase for travel

can be made in solid and variegated yarns

the "cuff" can remain upright or be folded down - I like to fold mine down. My friends keep theirs up for added coverage

There is a good chance I will soon make the time to crochet the gifts I've been planning for my friends. Those same friends who have hinted and outright asked for a new pair. The yarn is already purchased and waiting in my closet. But it is still unlikely that I will make the time to crochet a pair for myself. Because of this, it is good to know where I can purchase a pair of these awesome slipper socks for myself.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article.

Monday, December 15, 2014

I do not consider myself a crafty person typically. But every winter I do find myself sitting and crocheting. And every year I am able to make at least one item for a gift. This year, I have made a very exciting discovery. There is a fairly new line of yarn that has me head-over-heels with crocheting this year. It is the Bernat Blanket Yarn.

Crocheted Cowl by the author

My first project was a cowl that I made for myself. I very loosely followed a different pattern I had found on the internet. The good thing about just winging it was that I ended up with a cowl that I love. The bad part is that I can't replicate it exactly since I didn't count stitches or pay close attention to how many rows. I can tell you that I started with joining a chain in order to make a loop around my neck at what I thought was a desired length. I completed the second row of single stitch. Then I used rows of double stitch, with one row of decreasing.

My second project was an easy scarf pattern. I am making a gift for a child at the school. He has asked me to teach him to crochet and since that first lesson he has been busy making gifts for his family members. I thought he might like to have a scarf of his own. The scarf is 8 single stitches across each row. Easy peasy.

After I finish his scarf, I think my next project will be a throw or blanket. Perhaps the one featured in the following video. This video is a bit long, but excellent in showing a step-by-step blanket pattern with this yarn. It shows steps from start to finish. Please note, how soft and lush this yarn appears. It feels even better than it looks.

Bernat blanket yarn can be found at craft stores as well as online. It is a Gauge 6 - Super Bulky Chenille yarn. It comes in ball size: 300 g/ 10.5 oz, 201 meters/220 yards. It is machine wash and dry. When I bought my first ball, it seemed a bit pricey. But I have made two scarves so far, and haven't gotten to the end of that first ball.

I wasn't prepared to crochet with this yarn since it was an impulse purchase. I saw the yarn, touched the yarn, and had to have a ball of it right then. I didn't have a pattern and I had no plans to crochet that weekend. I knew that I didn't have any hooks that were large enough so I did purchase a set of crochet hooks for bulky yarn. I'm happy using the N hook. The size N hook gives me a really nicely sized stitch.

This Bernat Blanket yarn (and I'm sure I'll try the Bernat Baby Blanket yarn soon) is amazing stuff. You can bet that my crocheting this season will not end with just these two scarves. If you like to knit or crochet, I urge you to check out this luxurious yarn.

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